OPTIMIZING PRODUCTION OF EXTRACELLULAR LIPASE FROM RHODOTORULA-GLUTINIS

Production of extracellular lipase by Rhodotorula glutinis was substantially enhanced when the type and concentration of carbon and nitrogen source, the initial pH of culture medium and the growth temperature were consecutively optimized. Lipase activity as high as 30.4 U/ml of culture medium was obtained at optimum conditions, comparing favourably with most of the activities reported for other lipase hyperproducing microorganisms. The enzyme was optimally active at pH 7.5 and 35-degrees-C and had, at optimum pH, half-lives of 45 and 11.8 min at 45 and 55-degrees-C respectively. The high activity and kinetic characteristics of the enzyme make this process worthy of further investigation.